Experience your future at Junior Veterinary Academy
Earn up to 40 veterinary hours exploring the worlds of conservation, veterinary medicine, and zoology.

Forget boring summer camps!
Our Junior Veterinary Academy programs offer endless possibilities to explore the world of veterinary medicine. Students can look forward to practicing lab rotations and presenting their own Keeper Talk at the Texas Zoo, or becoming animal anatomy and conservation experts at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
2025 Sample Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Victoria, Texas
- Registration & Orientation
- Setting expectations & goals
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Day 2: Exotic & Wildlife Mammals
- Introduction to Exotic and Wildlife Mammals
- Field Class: Behavioral Observations
- Animal Care Rotation I*
- Food Preparation
- Enclosure Maintenance and Management
- Animal Enrichment
- Lab Activity: Suturing
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Day 3: Large & Domesticated Animals
- Practice Physical Exams & Positive Reinforcement Training
- Animal Care Rotation II
- Field Class: Zoo Ethics, Animal Welfare, and the Role of Zoos in Conservation
- Lab Activity: Bandaging
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Day 4: Reptiles
- Introduction to Reptile Care
- Field Class: Veterinary Diagnostics & Reptile Physical Examinations
- Lab Activity: Parasitology
- Animal Care Rotation III
- Design Animal Enrichment Projects
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Day 5: Avians
- Introduction to Avian Care
- Small Group Work
- Radiograph Interpretation Lab
- Rabbit Physical Examinations
- Research + Prepare for Keeper Talk Presentation
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Day 6: Careers in Veterinary Medicine
- Present Keeper Talks
- Field Class: Jobs in Veterinary Medicine & Capture and Release vs Rehab
- Small Group Work
- Enclosure Design Workshop
- Blood Cytology Lab
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Day 7: Departure
Find Your Future This Summer
Click below to receive more details about our Veterinary Academy programs or complete your enrollment.
What's Included?
- All curriculum and instruction
- Program activities
- Site visits and events
- Overnight housing
- Program materials
- At least two meals a day
- Local transportation during program
- Certificate of Completion
- The Cost of Two College Credits
Explore these programs and more...

Veterinary Academy: Middle School
Washington DC
7 days | 25 veterinary hours
Students will learn from teaching veterinarians about animal anatomy, canine first aid, and the ins-and-outs of veterinary school. They’ll also spend two half-days exploring the Smithsonian National Zoo to learn more about animal enrichment and enclosure design.
2025 Dates & Tuition | |
---|---|
Residential Program June 29-July 5 July 6-12 |
$3,799 |
Day Program June 30-July 5 July 7-12 |
$3,399 |

Zoo Medicine & Management in Texas
Victoria, TX
7 days | 40 veterinary hours
Now’s your chance to go behind-the-scenes at a working zoo and get hands-on experience working with a variety of animals, from the American Alligator to the Two-toed Sloth. Learn from teaching veterinarians and seasoned zoo professionals as you experience firsthand daily moments in a working veterinarian’s life.
2025 Dates & Tuition | |
---|---|
Residential Program June 29-July 5 July 6-12 |
$3,799 |
Day Program June 30-July 5 July 7-12 |
$3,399 |
Do you have a high-school student? Please check out our high-school Veterinary Academy page.

About Loop Abroad, our partner in Veterinary Medicine
Loop Abroad is the leading pre-veterinary travel program in the nation, with thousands of alumni at university and vet school campuses across the U.S. Their programs help students experience diverse veterinary careers firsthand. With an international team of expert wildlife and zoo veterinarians, Loop Abroad helps empower students to pursue the animal science careers of their dreams.
Loop Abroad was recognized by GoAbroad as the top rated study abroad provider of 2024.
Take the Next Step
Thank you for your interest in WorldStrides' Summer 2025 Junior Veterinary Academy program.
Please fill out the form below to receive additional information about the program.
Ready to dive into the world of veterinary medicine?
Conservation, veterinary medicine, and zoology programs for middle-school students.